Investigation of the radial compression of carbon nanotubes with a scanning probe microscope

Efforts have been made to characterize the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes. Previous work has concentrated on the tubes' longitudinal proper ties, and studies of their radial properties have lagged behind. We have us ed a scanning probe microscope with an indentation/scratch function to inve stigate the radial compression of multiwalled carbon nanotubes under an asy mmetric stress. In particular, we have determined the radial compressive el astic modulus at different compression levels and have estimated the compre ssive strength to be well beyond 5.3 GPa.